Six athletes and builders will be enshrined Wednesday night. Photo Supplied.
Six distinguished athletes and builders of sport will soon be inducted into the illustrious St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame.
The 2024 St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame inductees will be honoured this Wednesday for their significant achievements in sport, either in competition or through other exceptional contributions.
They include:
• Walt Oprzedek (Athlete / Builder): Handball and Football
• Andy Van Ruyven (Athlete): Rowing
• Carole Price (Builder): Curling and Rowing
• Robert “Bob” Adams (Athlete): Rowing and Football
• F.F. “Ted” Nelson (Builder): Rowing
• Bobby McLaren (Builder): Hockey, Lacrosse, Baseball, and Rowing
“It’s always a special night when we can gather as a community to recognize athletes and builders who have had a significant impact on sport locally, provincially, nationally, as well as on the global stage,” Hall of Fame Chair Peter Partridge Jr. said.
“We are proud to celebrate the achievements of the 2024 inductees permanently in the St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame.”
This year’s induction ceremony takes place on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame, located on the concourse level of the Meridian Centre, 1 David S. Howes Way.
The event is open to the public, admission is free, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Doors open at 5 p.m. A reception will follow the ceremony.
The 2024 inductees will have their names added to the David S. Howes St. Catharines Sports Wall of Fame. They will also receive a commemorative trophy and plaque. This year’s class brings the total number of inductees to the St. Catharines Sports Hall of
Fame to more than 190.
Founded in 1990, the hall of fame recognizes the accomplishments of athletes and builders who have significantly contributed to the development of sport in St. Catharines, and who went on to success at provincial, national and / or international levels.
To be eligible for the hall of fame, candidates must have been born or raised in St. Catharines or lived in the city during their sporting career.
“Again this year, we have a group of inductees whose actions and efforts have both shone a spotlight on our community, and united the community in support of their causes,” said St. Cathairines Mayor Mat Siscoe. “I am proud to see their legacies continue by being added to the Sports Hall of Fame.”
The St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame is available for viewing during public events at the Meridian Centre. In addition to the wall of fame, the hall of fame features an exhibition space showcasing a selection of sports’ artifacts and memorabilia.
The current exhibit highlights lacrosse across Ontario and was developed in partnership with the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
The St. Cathairnes Sports Hall of Fame lacrosse exhibit will remain up until after the St. Catharines Jr. A Athletics host the Minto Cup – the Canadian Jr. A Lacrosse Championships – next August at Meridian Centre.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
